I am currently a high school senior deciding on which colleges to apply to. I am stumped in my search and would love a little help! I would like to major in human resource management, or just management if that is not available. In addition, I plan to minor in some type of environmental studies (sustainability/general/etc.) Right now, I am looking at Indiana University, specifically SPEA. Any schools with similar programs? I liked Oberlin (though it is a reach), but their majors are a bit limited for me. I have a 4.2 weighted and 3.8 unweighted gpa. My SAT scores are 590 math, 590 critical reading, and 620 math.
A little more info, I love the IU more because of the Bloomington area, and would like to be somewhere similar. Very left-wing, out of the ordinary, hippie type vibe. I am a swimmer, and could swim division 3 or possible division 2. However, if I couldn’t swim at a school, it doesn’t matter so much to me.
I’m not sure about your major, but with your GPA and SAT, you may want to look at some test-optional schools. Your GPA is fairly high, “enough” for the Ivies, but your SAT is below that standard. Test-optional schools should allow you to get into “more selective” schools, should you want to.
HR would be a tough job during a down economy. I’ve seen a couple that melted after a couple months of walking people out of buildings and the resulting social ostracism. I felt really bad for them, but began to think a person would have to be pretty thick skinned to excel at the job.
Sorry, don’t have any really good ideas on where to go. Maybe Hanover?
But I’d like to suggest that you not focus too tightly on HR so early in your education. Think instead about either psychology or sociology or even anthropology - the more general study of human behavior either individually or in groups. It’s a great background for someone who plans to end up in the people side of the business world. You can always spend your summers doing HR related internships, add some business courses, etc…It will also make many more schools available to you since HR is offered at many fewer schools. Keep in mind too that most students end up changing their majors within the first two years or so - not necessarily dramatically, but you do want to have choices in case HR turns out not to be what you’d hoped, or you discover other things that interest you.
I’m a strong believer in the liberal arts, and I come from a family that believes in LACs. IMHO, I don’t think one should choose a school for a narrow major like human resources. HR and even business is a broad field that anyone may enter, regardless of major. I think a well-rounded liberal arts education prepares you to do anything, including human resources or anything else. So, if you haven’t done so you might think about some great LACs.
Beloit
Connecticut
DePauw
Dickinson
Kalamazoo
Ohio Wesleyan
Ripon
St. Olaf
Skidmore
Union
Whitman
I’d go for some combination of communications and sociology, common majors at most colleges, so from there you’d just need to pick a school thats a good fit for you. I don’t think that a private college would necessarily make a difference for your chosen career field, so a good in-state public might be the best option.